Harsh Nagar Approaches Prime Minister for Playing National Anthem In Movie Theatres

HARSH NAGAR DEMANDS NATIONAL ANTHEM, HARSH NAGAR, HARSH NAGAR DEMANDS NATIONAL ANTHEM TO PLAY IN CINEMA

Country’s national anthem written by Nobel Laureate and poet, Rabindranath Tagore in December 1911 was meant to inspire a billion strong population in the country. And yet our anthem that gives the message of plurism and unity in diversity continues to be neglected. Citing this neglect, Bollywood has time and again raised the concern and highlighted the need to raise awareness on the anthem – either through its movies or through various initiatives such as playing the anthem in movie theatres. Harsh Nagar

Few years back, I visited south and went to a theatre, I was asked to get up for National Anthem, I was really moved by such system prevailing there. Then in 2010 when I shifted to Mumbai, again I saw the same thing prevailing in Maharashtra. I wrote to the then Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dixit ji, but probably the letter may not have even been brought to her notice and no response whatsoever was ever received.

As a mark of respect to the nation, the practice of playing the national anthem at movie theatres is followed in many countries. In India some decades ago, it was mandatory to sing National Anthem after the screening of movies in cinema halls, however in a rush to leave theatre, spectators did not stand up during the National Anthem and thus it was disrespected. This patriotic ritual faded with time and completely stopped after a while.

Some enthusiasts in Maharashtra took up the matter with the State Government few years ago and hence the directive to play National Anthem in Cinema Halls was first passed by Maharashtra Government in 2002 according to which it was made mandatory to play the National Anthem before every movie screening at all movie theatres across the state.

The decision has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the people of Maharashtra. It aims to promote patriotism among the members of the audience. Most of us may be too busy to think of our country all the time but certainly we should spend few minutes to show respect and support and to our country.

I am sorry to state that after school, we all forget and hardly get an occasion to get up and sing our National Anthem, with soul and pride except seeing in T.V on 15th August or 26th January.

There has been a constant debate over playing the anthem in cinema halls. The practise of playing the national anthem at theatres is also followed in Thailand.Some enthusiasts in Maharashtra took up the matter with the State Government few years ago and hence the directive to play National Anthem in Cinema Halls was first passed by Maharashtra Government in 2002 according to which it was made mandatory to play the National Anthem before every movie screening at all movie theatres across the state.

The Madras High Court Bench in 2015 dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by an advocate seeking a ban on playing the national anthem in cinema halls.

Through his letter, Nagar joins the club of celebrities who are for playing the anthem in movie halls. However, a host of celebrities have also raised their concern about the disrespect shown in halls.

Harsh Nagar, a rising talent in the tinsel town, is one of the most promising upcoming actors in the Indian film industry. He has been groomed by Kishore Namit Kapoor, Anupam Kher and Barry Jones and has also pursued an acting course at the prestigious New York Film Academy. Nagar has also acted in more than 50 commercials for big brands such as Pepsi with Ranbir Kapoor, Snickers with Sonam Kapoor, UB fair with Pulkit Samrat, Close-Up, ICICI Bank, Samsung, Honda and so on.

He has also acted as a lead in a French film – The Queen, produced by HBO. He is nowset to make a mark in the Bollywood with his upcoming film Love Day which will be released on 23 September across cinema halls in the country.